Caprese Chicken Bake

Baked chicken breasts with tomato, mozzarella, and balsamic glaze

• Prep: 15 min
• Cook: 25 min
• Serves 8
• Difficulty: easy

Chicken breasts bake with grape tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil, finished with balsamic reduction for a colorful hall tray.

Why crews like it: Looks impressive with almost no skill required. Bright flavors after weeks of heavy comfort food.

Ingredients

• 4 lb boneless chicken breasts
• 2 lb grape tomatoes
• 1.5 lb fresh mozzarella
• 1 cup fresh basil
• 1 cup balsamic vinegar
• 4 cloves garlic cloves
• 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp dried Italian seasoning
• 1.5 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Reduce balsamic: Simmer balsamic vinegar in a small pot 10–12 minutes until reduced by half and coats a spoon with syrupy consistency, not thin and runny.
2. Season chicken and tomatoes: Rub chicken with olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Arrange on two half-sheets with halved tomatoes tucked around edges.
3. Bake chicken through: Bake at 400°F 16–18 minutes until chicken reads 165°F and tomatoes begin to burst and release juice into the pan.
4. Add mozzarella: Top each breast with mozzarella slices. Return to oven 6–8 minutes until cheese melts with light golden spots, not rubbery and stiff.
5. Finish with basil and balsamic: Scatter basil over tray. Drizzle balsamic reduction at the line. Chicken should slice cleanly with juices running clear.

Tonight's spread

• Whole-wheat pasta with olive oil and garlic.
• Simple green salad.

Hall tips

• Use ciliegine mozzarella for faster, even melting.
• Serve over arugula for a one-plate meal without extra cooking.
• Store balsamic reduction in squeeze bottle for consistent drizzle.

Meal prep

Pound chicken to even thickness for uniform baking. Reduce balsamic while chicken roasts. Station: Pound breasts to ¾-inch even thickness—thick spots dry before thin spots finish. Station: Add mozzarella last 8 minutes so it melts without rubberizing. Station: Drizzle balsamic at the line, not before hold—reduction stays glossy.

Leftovers

• Slice into caprese chicken sandwiches on ciabatta.
• Chop over a grain bowl with extra balsamic.

• Two half-sheet pans
• Small saucepan

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